Leadership isn’t a title it’s a practice. Whether you’re leading a team of two, two hundred or two thousand, effective leadership is about more than hitting sales or service targets or being in charge. It’s about influencing change and creating impact. If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, here are five practical and powerful ways to achieve this in your everyday. You’ll see many of these focus on you. This is part of the secret magic, as if you grow and change yourself, then this will support others around you to grow and change. This is when true leadership kicks in.
1. Lead With Self-Awareness
When I interview leaders they tell me that knowing yourself is super important. Given that self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence, it’s important you understand your strengths, things that trip you up, your default communication style (we love using DISC for this) as well as biases and blind spots. So, how do you become more self aware? Key is the ability to self reflect so that after a meeting, speaking in public etc you can take an honest stocktake of how it went and then change things to improve next time. Consider using tools like personality assessments or leadership coaching to deepen your awareness. The self-aware you are, the more grounded and confident you’ll be.
2. Language is Important
Leadership has a language. This includes the words and key messages you choose and use. They must be responsive to the people you lead and the context in which you are in. Clear communication builds trust and alignment. Be intentional about what you say and how you say it. Always listen more than you speak. Use plain language when you speak and avoid industry jargon. The goal is to inspire and motivate people to act and create change – this requires carefully crafted messages that always link to the “Why”.
3. Flex Your Communication Style
We all have a natural or default communication style. The way you use this or develop your understanding and confidence to use the four dominant communication styles – Direct, Influencing, Stabilising and Conscientious will determine your effectiveness as a leader. Knowing your communication style and flexing into the others as the context demands is a skill you can learn. Click here for more information. We offer this training in small groups and also one on one sessions. Please reach out, if this is of interest.
4. The Wholehearted Inventory
We use this inventory with many of our clients. It helps to assess your strengths and opportunities for growth. It’s a Brene Brown tool and we find our clients love it. It’s free so go ahead and check it out here. If you want to discuss where to from here, once you complete it, please just book in for a Leadership Laser Hour session with us.
5. Lead With Purpose and Values
Leaders with a clear sense of their values and purpose inspire loyalty and drive real change. Do you know what your values are? If not download our free Values booklet here. Do you know what you stand for? Do you have a leadership vision? Do you know your leadership “why” or purpose? Leaders who know this are able to communicate it and engender spirit in others to come on board or go forward with confidence. This is the ultimate leadership goal.
Over to You
Levelling up your leadership is available to you right now. It’s defined by how you show up, how you grow, and how you help others to thrive and grow into their leadership. So increase your self-awareness, work out your leadership language, flex your communication style, take the wholehearted inventory and review your values and leadership purpose. Start applying these five practices today and watch the transformation unfold. Reach out if we can help.
Until next time!
